June 20th marks World Refugee Day. For millions of women and girls among the world’s ever-growing refugee population, education remains an aspiration, not a reality. In Africa, COVID-19 is, in fact, amplifying the struggle that children are already facing to reach a quality education. Malala Fund research is showing that, globally, up to 10 million secondary school aged girls may never return to the classroom due to harmful gender norms, early child marriage, child labour and strains on household and government spending.
Click here to read more about the UNHCR’s (UN Refugee Agency) commitment to making education for refugee girls a priority.
In this 25-minute podcast, Africa’s and Ireland’s first female heads of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Mary Robinson, discuss a wide range of topics, from feminist leadership to the COVID-19 response, and progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and development in Africa.
Read about this unique MA in Education program at York University in Toronto that is celebrating the first cohort of Dadaab students to earn a York University graduate degree in Education. We only have one question, “Where are the women?”. Click here to find out more.
A report recently released by the Global Centre on Adaptation and the African Adaptation Initiative, and backed by 54 African leaders, identifies ways in which stimulus spending in Africa can be used to ‘build back better’ after COVID-19. The compound crises of the pandemic and climate change require an integrated response so that recovery programs can propel Africa towards increased resilience. To learn more and to access the full report, click here.
Launched this week, the 6 Principles for a Just Recovery are the result of discussions among civil society groups across Canada, and have been endorsed by over 200 organizations. GRAN is among them. We support a just recovery for all. Click here to learn more.
It is encouraging to see this report about Canada's leadership on debt relief and to learn of the government's plans to respond to the UN global appeal for contributions to help fight the pandemic in the world's poorest countries.
The impact of COVID 19 on adolescent girls in Africa is likely to have devastating long term effects. The pandemic will exacerbate the inequalities already faced by young girls. Read the joint solidarity letter sent to the African Union to advocate for critical interventions to ensure that adolescent girls are not left behind. Click here to read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the impact of ageism on the human rights of older people here at home and all around the world. In response, GRAN has recently endorsed a letter written by Margaret Gillis, President of the International Longevity Centre, directed to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Seniors, urging Canada to show immediate and decisive leadership in supporting a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. The full text of Margaret’s letter is available here.
Apr 12, 2024
“Canada’s ongoing support for gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, a greener economy and economic resilience in Africa is unwavering. My recent visit to Benin and the Democratic... Read more
Apr 10, 2024
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Tuesday in favour of a group of more than 2000 older women from Switzerland who had argued that their government's inadequate efforts to combat... Read more
Mar 21, 2024
Tremendous politicized hype and disinformation have been hitting the airwaves and social media lately around Canada's climate policies and, in particular, carbon pricing. Climate policies have... Read more